The first temporary residence permit of a Russian citizen has been cancelled in Lithuania due to violation of a new provision that came into force in May 2025. According to an additional provision of the law on national sanctions related to the war in Ukraine, Russian citizens are prohibited from visiting Russia or Belarus more than once every three months without objective reasons.
According to the Lithuanian Migration Department, in the course of analyzing the reasons for frequent travel by Russian citizens, the first case that did not meet the established exceptions was identified. As a result, it was decided to cancel the residence permit of the Russian citizen who had violated the new requirement. Exceptions to the ban are permitted only in a number of strictly defined situations: business travel, participation in international negotiations or humanitarian missions. Personal or family circumstances, including visits to relatives, are not covered by these exceptions.
To date, the department has identified 34 cases, in which Russians made regular trips to Russia and Belarus. These citizens, as the department notes, may also lose their residence permits in the near future. The circumstances are now being verified and explanations are requested from the individuals themselves.
The new norm was part of the tightening of migration control and sanctions policy of Lithuania. According to the Lithuanian authorities, frequent trips to Russia or Belarus pose a potential threat to national security. However, the new norm already raises questions: does it not conflict with the principles of freedom of movement, humanity and respect for personal circumstances, which are at the heart of European values?
